Scientists from the German Archaeological University have discovered the first physical evidence of hand cutting in ancient Egypt. Research published in the journal scientific reports.
A severed right palm was discovered by archaeologists in three pits in the courtyard of a Hyksos palace in northeastern Egypt. The palace was built in 1640–1530. BC when the Hyksos ruled Lower and Middle Egypt to the present day. These were the first foreigners to rule Egypt.
Anatomical features indicate that the hands belonged to at least 12 adults: 11 male and possibly one female. After the attached parts of the forearm were carefully removed, the hands were placed in the pits with the fingers wide apart.
The stance and position of the amputated hands suggest it is unlikely that the hacking was carried out as a punitive measure. The joinery was probably part of a ritual performed at the palace.
Although the practice of hand cutting has been documented in New Kingdom tomb inscriptions and temple reliefs, this finding by scholars was the first evidence of hand cutting in ancient Egypt.